Georgetown lands 2026 forward Justin Caldwell: ‘He’s a Big East guy’
By SAM LANCE
Ed Cooley and Georgetown are on the board in the 2026 class, picking up a commitment from power forward Justin Caldwell, who announced his decision on Friday via X.com.
Caldwell, the 6-foot-9 forward out of Berean Baptist Academy (NC) and the Washington Warriors Adidas 3SSB AAU program, committed fresh off his official visit. He chose Georgetown over offers from programs like Maryland, NC State and others.
“I chose Georgetown because it felt like home and I believe in what Coach Cooley is building,” Caldwell told ZAGSBLOG. “His energy, honesty, and the culture he’s creating really stood out to me. He’s a proven winner who knows how to develop players the right way.”
This summer with the Washington Warriors, Caldwell averaged 13.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game while shooting 45.5% from the field. He has a 7-foot-1 wingspan and is known as an elite rebounder and rim protector.
“I’m bringing size, versatility, and a strong motor to Georgetown,” Caldwell said. “I can impact the game on both ends, defend, rebound and score. I’m coming in ready to work, grow, and help bring Georgetown a championship.”
4 Justin Caldwell put on a clinic this weekend at @TheHoopGroup
— Justin Caldwell (@JustinC2026) April 16, 2025
The 6'9 forward averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds per game for @WashWarriorsAAU pic.twitter.com/Yt37pIjnFJ
The four-star’s high school coach, James Strong, said Caldwell is simply a “Big East guy.”
“He’s rugged,” Strong said. “He’s tough. He don’t back down. He has an edge to him. I think being in that conference will fit his personality. The Big East is known for their tough, physical guys. And I think he’s going to really do well there. Like any other guy, any other player, he’s got to get better, which coach is going to make sure that happens. He’s got admirations of playing in the NBA. He’s got a good drive about him that he really really wants to do that. So coach Cooley is going to make sure he gives him everything he has to make sure his dream comes true, but it’s all going to be up to him.”
Strong is very close with Caldwell and said he’s as hardworking as they come.
“At 4 o’clock, 5 o’clock in the morning, you have to have your gym open,” Strong said. “Because he’s in there… He’s a sponge. He learns fast. He reads the defense well.”
The impact Caldwell will make goes beyond the court.
“He’s a super leader,” Strong said. “He’s good on the court. He talks. Off the court, he tells guys about reading defenses. He’s a student of the game. He helps his teammates. He’s a good team player. Like I said, he’s improved in all of this over the last year or so and gotten better. Now, he’s a guy that don’t like to lose. He loves to win. And not just for himself, he likes to win for his teammates. So he’s a winner and he carries an edge with him as a winner. He’s got some swag with him where he really doesn’t believe anyone can guard him. And that’s a good thing to have, especially going to Georgetown.”
Caldwell is Georgetown’s first commit out of the 2026 class. He is ranked as a four-star prospect and No. 148 overall by 247Sports. The Hoyas are involved with some other highly-touted 2026 prospects like Jordan Smith Jr., Qayden Samuels, Alex Constanza and Jayden Hodge.
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